Methods and apparatus for extinguishing fires

ABSTRACT

A fire control system according to various aspects of the present invention includes an extinguishant having a suppressant and a thermal absorbant. The suppressant is configured to suppress the fire. The thermal absorbant is configured to absorb heat from the fire. In one embodiment, the thermal absorbant is configured to absorb thermal radiation from the fire and inhibit reflection of thermal radiation from the suppressant and/or other surfaces back into the fire. In additional and alternative embodiments, the thermal absorbant may be configured to transfer heat into the surface and/or interior of suppressant particles or droplets to promote activation of the suppressant.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/382,398, filed May 21, 2002; and U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 60/430,912, filed Dec. 3, 2002; and is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No.09/920,179, filed Aug. 1, 2001 now abandoned, and of U.S. Nonprovisionalpatent application Ser. No. 10/214,497, filed Aug. 8, 2002, andincorporates the disclosure of each application by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to methods and apparatus for controlling fires andflammable materials.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Flammable and otherwise hazardous materials play an important role inthe everyday lives of most people. Most people encounter flammablematerials, such as gasoline, engine oil, and natural gas, withoutdanger. Because the flammable materials are contained, they typicallypresent no problem for those that are nearby.

When the flammable materials become uncontained, however, the materialscan injure or kill, such as when the container is damaged and thematerial escapes. Fire extinguishing systems play a key role incontrolling and extinguishing fires. Numerous materials offer variousproperties for quenching fires and find applications in various types offire extinguishing systems, including dry powders, liquids, and foams.Most of these materials directly attack the source of the fire. Inparticular, the materials are intended to directly cool the fire,deprive the fire of fuel or oxygen, or otherwise interfere with thechemical combustion process that sustains the fire.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A fire control system according to various aspects of the presentinvention includes an extinguishant having a suppressant and a thermalabsorbant. The suppressant is configured to suppress the fire. Thethermal absorbant is configured to absorb heat from the fire. In oneembodiment, the thermal absorbant is configured to absorb thermalradiation from the fire and inhibit reflection of thermal radiation fromthe suppressant and/or other surfaces back into the fire. In additionaland alternative embodiments, the thermal absorbant may be configured totransfer heat into the surface and/or interior of suppressant particlesor droplets to promote activation of the suppressant.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived byreferring to the detailed description when considered in connection withthe following illustrative figures. In the following figures, likereference numbers refer to similar elements and steps.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a fire extinguishing system according tovarious aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of suppressant particles or droplets mixedwith thermal absorbant particles or droplets;

FIGS. 3A-B are cross-sectional views of suppressant particles having acolored surface and a coated surface, respectively;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a suppressant particles partially markedwith residue from thermal absorbant particles;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a suppressant particle having athermal absorbant permeated into its interior; and

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a suppressant particle havingthermal absorbant particles attached to and/or embedded in its surface.

Elements and steps in the figures are illustrated for simplicity andclarity and have not necessarily been rendered according to anyparticular sequence. For example, steps that may be performedconcurrently or in different order are illustrated in the figures tohelp to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is described partly in terms of functionalcomponents and various processing steps. Such functional components maybe realized by any number of components configured to perform thespecified functions and achieve the various results. For example, thepresent invention may employ various elements, materials, suppressants,thermal absorbants, heat conductors, neutralizing agents, and the like,which may carry out a variety of functions. In addition, the presentinvention may be practiced in conjunction with any number ofapplications, environments, hazardous materials, and extinguishants, andthe systems described are merely exemplary applications for theinvention. Further, the present invention may employ any number ofconventional techniques for manufacturing, assembling, dispensation, andthe like.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a fire control system 100 for controlling andextinguishing fires according to various aspects of the presentinvention may be implemented in conjunction with a dispenser 110containing an extinguishant 112. The dispenser 110 dispenses theextinguishant 112 onto or near the fire. The extinguishant 112 tends toreduce the intensity of the fire and/or extinguish the fire.

The dispenser 110 may comprise any suitable system for dispensing theextinguishant 112. The dispenser 110 may also store the extinguishant112 until the extinguishant 112 is to be deposited on or near a fire.For example, the dispenser 110 may comprise a conventional fireextinguishing system, such as a handheld fire extinguisher, a buildingfire extinguishing system, a vehicular fire extinguishing system, anindustrial fire extinguishing system, and the like. In the presentembodiment, the dispenser 110 comprises a conventional handheld fireextinguisher having a tank 114 for storing the extinguishant 112 and anozzle 116 for directing the extinguishant 112. In an alternativeembodiment, the dispenser comprises a vehicular fire panel substantiallyfilled with extinguishant and configured to open and dispense theextinguishant in response to a trigger event, such as an impact.

The extinguishant 112 is a material configured to control or extinguishfire in any suitable manner, such as by depriving the fire of heat,oxygen, or fuel, or otherwise disrupting the chemical processes requiredto sustain the fire. In the present embodiment, the extinguishant 112comprises a suppressant and a thermal absorbant. The suppressant isconfigured to suppress the fire, for example a conventional firesuppressant configured to smother the fire, cut off the fuel supply, orcool the fire below the flammability temperature. The thermal absorbantis suitably configured to absorb heat from the fire, for example toreduce reflection of thermal radiation by the extinguishant 112 and/orother surfaces and/or to promote activation of the suppressant.

The suppressant is configured to reduce the fire, for example viaconventional techniques. For example, the suppressant may comprisesodium or potassium bicarbonate, ammonium phosphate, monophosphate,potassium chloride, potassium salt carbon dioxide, HFC-227ea, halon orhalotron-I, water, or water mist. The suppressant may comprise, however,any suitable material for suppressing fire.

In a first embodiment, the thermal absorbant is configured to reduceheat, particularly thermal radiation, reflected back into the fire orother heat source by the extinguishant 112 or other surfaces. Fires,particularly two-dimensional fires formed on liquid pools of fuel, havemultiple mechanisms, including thermal radiation, that sustain the fireas well as dissipate its thermal energy. Thermal radiation tends tocontribute to the sustenance and spread of fire. In particular, thermalradiation released by the fire transports heat to the liquid pool belowto promote vaporization and the introduction of fuel vapor into thereaction zone to sustain the fire. Because radiation is released in alldirections, however, energy also radiates away from the fuel and thefire. To maintain sufficient heat to support and sustain the fire, thelost heat must be replaced by heat from the fire.

The radiated heat may also contribute to the spread of a fire from itsoriginal location. The radiation effects of fire and the role played bythermal radiation are complex, for example due to the complexities ofthe direction and extent of heat losses, the radiation of heat uponsurrounding structures and re-radiations back to the fire, radiationlosses and generation within the surrounding hot air itself, and therespective rates of emission, absorption, and reflection from each ofthe constituents. Further, radiation-based heat deposition onsurrounding combustible structures, such as walls and curtains, mayresult in their ignition and sustained fire. This mechanism can resultin the spread of the fire to these surrounding structures from theoriginal site of the fire, and can lead to a runaway fire spreadcondition.

Radiation-based heat may also affect the performance of dry chemicalfire extinguishing particles when they are introduced into the fireregion. Various types of extinguishing particles may function as a sinkfor the heat released by the fire and cool it below its sustenancetemperature. Chemically reactive dry chemicals, such as sodium andpotassium bicarbonate, also decompose when exposed to heat to releasecarbon dioxide and metal ions to interrupt the fire reaction chemicallyas well as smother it. Smaller particles appear to be more effective,possibly because the particles must vaporize rapidly for optimaleffectiveness.

Most conventional dry chemical extinguishants, however, are white ornear-white in the visible spectrum. Whiter surfaces tend to reflect heatfrom each particle back to the fire zone or the fuel source and reduceheat absorption by the particles themselves. The reflection of the heattends to promote the robustness of the fire, and lower heat absorptiontends to reduce the rate of heat extraction from the fire. The lowabsorption also tends to slow the rate of decomposition of the particlesthemselves and the corresponding generation of fire-inhibitingdecomposition products to mix into the reaction zone, and as a result,particles in the region above or near the fire zone may not break down.Such particles are substantially ineffective and deposit in the air orsurrounding areas.

An extinguishant 112 according to various aspects of the presentinvention includes a thermal absorbant to absorb heat, such as heattransferred by thermal radiation. The thermal absorbant may also oralternatively be configured to absorb heat transferred by convectionand/or conduction. For example, the thermal absorbant is suitablyconfigured to modify the outer surface and/or interior of thesuppressant to absorb more thermal radiation. Consequently, less heattends to be reflected back to maintain the fire. Further, more heat istransported into the suppressant so that heat-reactive suppressants maydecompose faster to release their chemical ions and decompositionproducts to chemically interrupt the fire. In addition, thermalabsorbant that is not in the immediate vicinity of the fire may extractadditional heat from the fire and potentially inhibit ignition ofsurrounding combustible materials by reducing the transmission ofthermal radiation to the surrounding area.

In one embodiment, the thermal absorbant provides color in conjunctionwith the suppressant to provide a thermally absorptive surface, such asby at least partially changing the surface to flat black and/orproviding a thermal conductor into the interior of the suppressantparticle. Absorptive surfaces tend to absorb instead of reflect heat.The thermal absorbant tends to promote extraction of heat from theenvironment and/or decomposition of the suppressant. The use of thethermal absorbant also facilitates the use of larger suppressantparticles to maintain favorable throw characteristics. The thermalabsorbant inhibits transport and/or reflection of heat to fuel sources,and causes the extinguishant 112 to break down in areas farther from thecenter of the reaction zone to create a more concentrated cloud of metalions and inert gas molecules induced into the fire.

The thermal absorbant may be configured in any suitable manner to reducethe reflection of heat back into the fire, transmission of heat to othercombustibles, and/or promote activation of the suppressant. In thepresent embodiment, the thermal absorbant is configured to absorb heat,such as heat transferred via thermal convection, conduction, and/orradiation. The thermal absorbant may be configured in any suitablemanner to absorb heat, such as by providing a thermally absorptive coloror other characteristics to the extinguishant 112.

For example, in one embodiment, the thermal absorbant may provide anappropriate color to the extinguishant 112 that tends to absorb thermalenergy instead of reflecting thermal energy. The thermal absorbant maybe configured to absorb as many radiation wavelengths as possible, suchas a flat black color, or may be configured to absorb particularwavelengths or temperatures, such as wavelengths corresponding tocarbon-based emission spectra or wavelengths associated with particularflammable materials found in a certain environment. Alternatively, thethermal absorbent may exhibit any other effective or desired color, suchas various shades of gray, one or more colors mixed within the thermalabsorbant, or other configurations. The thermal absorbant may beselected according to any suitable criteria, such as cost, durability,effectiveness in absorbing selected relevant wavelengths, effectivenessin coloring the extinguishant 112, flow performance, extinguishingperformance, and the like. The thermal absorbant may be selectedaccording to other criteria as well, such as other fire extinguishingcapabilities, improved handling, lower toxicity, easier cleanup, orother relevant criteria.

The thermal absorbant may operate in conjunction with the suppressant inany suitable manner. For example, the thermal absorbant is suitablydisposed proximate to the suppressant, such as mixed with thesuppressant, attached to the suppressant, or integrated into thesuppressant. Referring to FIG. 2, in one embodiment, the extinguishant112 comprises a liquid, gaseous, or liquefied compressed gas suppressant210 mixed with a liquid or solid thermal absorbant 212. The suppressant210 and the thermal absorbant 212 may be pre-mixed or mixed upondispensation.

The thermal absorbant 212 may increase the thermal absorption of theextinguishant 112 in any suitable manner, such as by darkening thegaseous or liquid suppressant 210 or providing intermixed particleshaving darker surfaces for absorbing thermal radiation. For example, thethermal absorbant 212 may comprise a dye, a plurality of smallparticles, or other coloring to increase the thermal absorption of theextinguishant 112. The combination of the dark, such as flat black,thermal absorbant 212 with the suppressant 210 tends to reduce thereflectivity of the extinguishant 112. A liquid thermal absorbant 212may operate as a dye or other coloration to make the overallextinguishant 112 a selected, thermally absorptive material. If agaseous, liquid, or solid suppressant 210 is mixed with a solid thermalabsorbant 212, such as a plurality of small black particles or beads,the overall reflectivity of the extinguishant 112 is reduced.

In another embodiment, the suppressant 212 is a solid or semi-solidmaterial and the thermal absorbant 212 may be attached to thesuppressant 210. The suppressant 212 may comprise any suitable materialfor suppressing fire or other hazard, such as a conventional drychemical fire suppressant. The thermal absorbant 212 may be any suitablematerial, such as a material that is flat black or has other desiredcolors or characteristics, to reduce the reflection of heat from thesuppressant 210 or other surfaces and/or absorb heat and transfer it tothe suppressant 210.

For example, referring to FIG. 3A, the thermal absorbant 212 may bepositioned on the surface of some or all of the suppressant 210particles, such as in the form of a substantially uniform coating overthe exterior surface of the suppressant 210. Alternatively, referring toFIG. 3B, the thermal absorbant 212 may comprise a surface coloration onthe suppressant 210. Treating only the surface of the suppressant 210particle tends to minimize the amount of thermal absorbant 212 required,and maintains the increased heat absorption until the coating ormodified surface evaporates during melting.

The thermal absorbant 212 may be applied to the suppressant 210particles in any suitable manner. For example, the thermal absorbant 212may be added using a dry process, such as by applying a dye or othercoloration to the suppressant 210 particles. Any appropriate techniquemay be used to apply the thermal absorbant 212 to the suppressant 210,however, such as deposition, soaking, spray drying, electrostatictechniques, or the like.

Referring to FIG. 4, the suppressant 210 particles may also be partiallycovered by the thermal absorbant 212. The partial covering of thesuppressant 210 particles may be implemented in any suitable manner,such as by placing the suppressant 210 particles in contact with athermal absorbant 212 that leaves a residue on the surface of thethermal suppressant 210 particles, for example activated charcoalparticles or an appropriately colored gel. In the present embodiment,the suppressant 210 particles may be mixed with charcoal particles 410and circulated to optimize the residue 412 delivered by the charcoal orother thermal absorbant 212.

In another embodiment, the thermal absorbant 212 is permeated orembedded into the suppressant 210. For example, referring to FIG. 5, thethermal absorbant 212 suitably comprises a material which may permeateinto suppressant 210, such as a liquid dye or a material added to thesuppressant during or after fabrication. Alternatively, the thermalabsorbant 212 may be integrated into the suppressant 210, such as byforming the suppressant 210 from a thermally absorptive material usingwet treatment, such as by dissolving the suppressant 210 particles withthe dye added and forming the desired extinguishant particles by latergrinding and treatment.

Alternatively, referring to FIG. 6, the thermal absorbant 212 maycomprise particles formed or embedded in or attached to the suppressant210, or vice versa. The thermal absorbant 212 may comprise any suitableheat absorbant, such as a material configured to absorb thermalradiation and/or transfer heat onto the surface of and/or into theinterior of the suppressant 210.

For example, particles of iron oxide 610 or other thermal absorbent maybe attached to the surface of the suppressant 210 particles. The ironoxide particles 610 are suitably smaller than the suppressant 210particles and may be adhered to or embedded in the suppressant 210particles in any suitable manner. Iron oxide is typically an effectivethermal radiation absorbant, and may conduct heat to the suppressantsurface. Iron oxide is generally considered inert in hot environments,but if transported to a flame interior or other hot area by asuppressant 210 particle, the iron oxide particles 610 may decompose anddeliver highly-effective iron ions to inhibit the fire chemically.

The thermal absorbant 212 may also serve other functions as well asenhancing the thermal absorption of the extinguishant 112. For example,the suppressant 210 may comprise a heat-activated suppressant, such assodium bicarbonate, and the thermal absorbant 212 may be configured topromote activation of the suppressant 210. As described above, thethermal absorbant 212 may be attached to or integrated with thesuppressant 210. To promote activation of the suppressant 210, thethermal absorbant 212 is suitably configured to conduct or produce heatinto the suppressant 210 to speed the activation of the suppressant 210.

For example, the thermal absorbant 212 may comprise a material thatreacts exothermically when exposed to sufficiently high temperatures,such as activated charcoal. When exposed to a fire, thermal absorbantmay generate additional heat locally to promote activation of thesuppressant 210, thus tending to extinguish the fire faster.

In addition, the thermal absorbant 212 may operate as a supplementarysuppressant, for example by tending to deprive the fire of oxygen orfuel. For example, the thermal absorbant 212 may comprise a thermallyabsorptive material having a suppressant material. Alternatively, thethermal absorbant 212 may comprise a material that is activated byexposure to heat to become a suppressant 210. In one embodiment, thethermal absorbant 212 comprises a material embedded in the suppressant210 to promote activation of the suppressant 210, and as the suppressant210 is activated and the thermal absorbant 212 heats up, the thermalabsorbant 212 changes into a material having suppressant properties.

For example, the extinguishant 112 may comprise a sodium bicarbonatesuppressant 210 having thermal absorbant 212 particles of iron oxideembedded in the suppressant particles. Upon exposure to heat, thethermal absorbant 212 particles transfer heat to the suppressant 210particles, including the interior of the suppressant 210 particles topromote activation of the suppressant 210. In addition, the thermalabsorbant 212 particles react to the heat by generating iron ions, whichprovide added suppressant properties for suppressing the fire.

The extinguishant 112 may also be configured to reduce or neutralizeflammable components. For example, the thermal absorbant 212 maycomprise a porous material, such as activated charcoal, that tends toabsorb flammable gases. Alternatively, the thermal absorbant 212, thesuppressant 210, or an added material to the extinguishant 112 maycomprise a material that tends to neutralize or reduce the flammabilityof one of more flammable components.

To use a fire control system 100 and extinguishant 112 according tovarious aspects of the present invention, in response to detection of afire, for example visually or automatically through a fire detectionsystem, the extinguishant 112 is dispensed onto or near a fire or firehazard via the dispenser 110. As the extinguishant 112 approaches andcontacts the fire, the suppressant 210 tends to reduce the fire, such asby depriving the fire of fuel and/or oxygen. In addition, the thermalabsorbant 212 tends to absorb heat from the fire. In particular, thethermal absorbant 212 tends to reduce reflection of thermal radiationback into the fire and/or to other surfaces. Extinguishant 112 thatfails to contact the fire may nonetheless absorb heat and reducereflection or transfer of heat from the extinguishant 112 and othersurfaces, tending to inhibit spread or growth of the fire.

Further, the thermal absorbant 212 may assist in the activation of thesuppressant 210. As the extinguishant 112 approaches the fire, thesuppressant 210 and the thermal absorbant 212 absorb heat, which tendsto activate the suppressant 210. The thermal absorbant 212 absorbs heatfaster than the suppressant 210, which is transferred to the suppressant210, promoting the faster activation of the suppressant 210. Activationof the suppressant 210 may be further enhanced for suppressants 210having thermal absorbants 212 penetrating the outer surface of thesuppressant 210, such that the thermal absorbant 212 may convey heatdirectly to the interior of the suppressant 210.

In addition, the thermal absorbant 212 may convert into a supplementarysuppressant. As the thermal absorbant 212 absorbs heat from the fire,the thermal absorbant 212 may change into a material having suppressantproperties. The thermal absorbant 212 may also absorb and/or neutralizeflammable materials in the environment, such as by absorbing flammablegases into pores in the thermal absorbant.

The particular implementations shown and described are illustrative ofthe invention and its best mode and are not intended to otherwise limitthe scope of the present invention in any way. Indeed, for the sake ofbrevity, conventional manufacturing, connection, preparation, and otherfunctional aspects of the system may not be described in detail.Furthermore, the components shown in the various figures are intended torepresent exemplary functional relationships and/or physical couplingsbetween the various elements. Many alternative or additional functionalrelationships or physical connections may be present in a practicalsystem.

The present invention has been described above with reference to apreferred embodiment. However, changes and modifications may be made tothe preferred embodiment without departing from the scope of the presentinvention. These and other changes or modifications are intended to beincluded within the scope of the present invention.

1. A fire extinguishant, comprising: a suppressant; and a thermalabsorbant configured to absorb radiation, wherein the thermal absorbantis proximate to the suppressant.
 2. A fire extinguishant according toclaim 1, wherein the thermal absorbant comprises a surface modificationto the suppressant.
 3. A fire extinguishant according to claim 2,wherein the surface modification comprises a surface color added to thesuppressant.
 4. A fire extinguishant according to claim 3, wherein thesurface color comprises substantially flat black.
 5. A fireextinguishant according to claim 2, wherein the surface modificationcomprises a residue formed on a surface of the suppressant.
 6. A fireextinguishant according to claim 5, wherein the residue comprises acharcoal residue.
 7. A fire extinguishant according to claim 1, whereinthe thermal absorbant is configured to absorb selected wavelengths.
 8. Afire extinguishant according to claim 1, wherein the thermal absorbantis configured to promote activation of the suppressant in response toheat.
 9. A fire extinguishant according to claim 8, wherein the thermalabsorbant is configured to transfer heat to the suppressant.
 10. A fireextinguishant according to claim 9, wherein the thermal absorbant isconfigured to react exothermically to heat.
 11. A fire extinguishantaccording to claim 1, wherein the thermal absorbant comprises at leastone of a coating, a dye, a residue, an embedded particle, and anindependent particle.
 12. A fire extinguishant according to claim 1,wherein the thermal absorbant comprises a plurality of particles mixedwith the suppressant.
 13. A fire extinguishant according to claim 1,wherein: the suppressant comprises a plurality of particles; the thermalabsorbant comprises a plurality of particles; and the thermal absorbantparticles are attached to the suppressant particles.
 14. A fireextinguishant according to claim 13, wherein the thermal absorbantcomprises iron oxide.
 15. A fire extinguishant according to claim 1,wherein: the suppressant comprises a liquid; and the thermal absorbantcomprises at least one of a liquid and a plurality of particles.
 16. Afire extinguishant according to claim 1, wherein the thermal absorbantpermeates the suppressant.
 17. A fire extinguishant according to claim1, wherein the thermal absorbant comprises a supplementary firesuppressant.
 18. A fire extinguishant comprising a suppressant having asource of color configured to absorb thermal radiation.
 19. A fireextinguishant according to claim 18, wherein the source of colorcomprises a surface modification to the suppressant.
 20. A fireextinguishant according to claim 19, wherein the surface modificationcomprises a surface color added to the suppressant.
 21. A fireextinguishant according to claim 20, wherein the surface color comprisessubstantially flat black.
 22. A fire extinguishant according to claim19, wherein the surface modification comprises a residue formed on asurface of the suppressant.
 23. A fire extinguishant according to claim22, wherein the residue comprises a charcoal residue.
 24. A fireextinguishant according to claim 18, wherein the source of color isconfigured to absorb selected wavelengths.
 25. A fire extinguishantaccording to claim 18, wherein the source of color is configured topromote activation of the suppressant in response to heat.
 26. A fireextinguishant according to claim 25, wherein the thermal absorbant isconfigured to transfer heat to the suppressant.
 27. A fire extinguishantaccording to claim 18, wherein: the suppressant comprises a liquid; andthe source of color comprises at least one of a liquid and a pluralityof particles.
 28. A fire extinguishant according to claim 18, whereinthe source of color permeates the suppressant.
 29. A fire controlsystem, comprising: an extinguishant, comprising: a suppressant; and athermal absorbant configured to absorb radiation, wherein the thermalabsorbant is proximate to the suppressant; and a dispenser configured tocontain the extinguishant.
 30. A fire control system according to claim29, wherein the thermal absorbant comprises a surface modification tothe suppressant.
 31. A fire control system according to claim 30,wherein the surface modification comprises a surface color added to thesuppressant.
 32. A fire extinguishant according to claim 31, wherein thesurface color comprises substantially flat black.
 33. A fireextinguishant according to claim 30, wherein the surface modificationcomprises a residue formed on a surface of the suppressant.
 34. A fireextinguishant according to claim 33, wherein the residue comprises acharcoal residue.
 35. A fire extinguishant according to claim 29,wherein the thermal absorbant is configured to absorb selectedwavelengths.
 36. A fire extinguishant according to claim 29, wherein thethermal absorbant is configured to promote activation of the suppressantin response to heat.
 37. A fire extinguishant according to claim 36,wherein the thermal absorbant is configured to transfer heat to thesuppressant.
 38. A fire extinguishant according to claim 37, wherein thethermal absorbant is configured to react exothermically to heat.
 39. Afire extinguishant according to claim 28, wherein the thermal absorbantcomprises at least one of a coating, a dye, a residue, an embeddedparticle, and an independent particle.
 40. A fire extinguishantaccording to claim 29, wherein the thermal absorbant comprises aplurality of particles mixed with the suppressant.
 41. A fireextinguishant according to claim 29, wherein: the suppressant comprisesa plurality of particles; the thermal absorbant comprises a plurality ofparticles; and the thermal absorbant particles are attached to thesuppressant particles.
 42. A fire extinguishant according to claim 41,wherein the thermal absorbant particles comprise iron oxide.
 43. A fireextinguishant according to claim 29, wherein: the suppressant comprisesa liquid; and the thermal absorbant comprises at least one of a liquidand a plurality of particles.
 44. A fire extinguishant according toclaim 29, wherein the thermal absorbant permeates the suppressant.
 45. Afire extinguishant according to claim 29, wherein the thermal absorbantcomprises a supplementary fire suppressant.
 46. A method forextinguishing a fire, comprising: detecting the fire; and dispensing anextinguishant proximate to the fire, wherein the extinguishantcomprises: a suppressant; and a thermal absorbant configured to absorbradiation, wherein the thermal absorbant is proximate to thesuppressant.
 47. A method for extinguishing a fire according to claim46, wherein the thermal absorbant is disposed between the fire and anearby combustible material.
 48. A method for extinguishing a fireaccording to claim 46, wherein the thermal absorbant comprises a surfacemodification to the suppressant.
 49. A method for extinguishing a fireaccording to claim 48, wherein the surface modification comprises asurface color added to the suppressant.
 50. A method for extinguishing afire according to claim 49, wherein the surface color comprisessubstantially flat black.
 51. A method for extinguishing a fireaccording to claim 48, wherein the surface modification comprises aresidue formed on a surface of the suppressant.
 52. A method forextinguishing a fire according to claim 51, wherein the residuecomprises a charcoal residue.
 53. A method for extinguishing a fireaccording to claim 46, wherein the thermal absorbant is configured toabsorb selected wavelengths.
 54. A method for extinguishing a fireaccording to claim 46, wherein the thermal absorbant is configured topromote activation of the suppressant in response to heat.
 55. A methodfor extinguishing a fire according to claim 54, wherein the thermalabsorbant is configured to transfer heat to the suppressant.
 56. Amethod for extinguishing a fire according to claim 55, wherein thethermal absorbant is configured to react exothermically to heat.
 57. Amethod for extinguishing a fire according to claim 46, wherein thethermal absorbant comprises at least one of a coating, a dye, a residue,an embedded particle, and an independent particle.
 58. A method forextinguishing a fire according to claim 46, wherein the thermalabsorbant comprises a plurality of particles mixed with the suppressant.59. A method for extinguishing a fire according to claim 46, wherein:the suppressant comprises a plurality of particles; the thermalabsorbant comprises a plurality of particles; and the thermal absorbantparticles are attached to the suppressant particles.
 60. A method forextinguishing a fire according to claim 59, wherein the thermalabsorbant comprises iron oxide.
 61. A method for extinguishing a fireaccording to claim 46, wherein: the suppressant comprises a liquid; andthe thermal absorbant comprises at least one of a liquid and a pluralityof particles.
 62. A method for extinguishing a fire according to claim46, wherein the thermal absorbant permeates the suppressant.
 63. Amethod for extinguishing a fire according to claim 46, wherein thethermal absorbant comprises a supplementary fire suppressant.